Coronavirus, Covid 19 Discussion and How It Has Affected Your Daily Life Chat Thread

[BigBlueHen53]

@FortCluck this is for you. I know you are very much in the high-risk group. Would you, or do you, let anyone in your house, that is not already a member of your immediate family? If so, under what circumstances would you allow that? I ask because this sales rep wants to come over tomorrow to talk to us about Medicare and my brain is screaming no no no! And also, DD has a very dear friend that lives two states over that has asked if she can come and I am having the same reaction. I am not as high risk as you, but I AM, enough to where I am concerned. What would you do?

 

[MROO]

My husbands brother was upset the day he had to switch to a smartphone because they no longer carry them at his service provider

I'll be in the same boat, at some point. I plan to keep my flip phone for as long as possible ... I'm really likin' the $35 monthly payments!

It might be too conspiracy theorist for you but it's true, known, proven, admitted, and been fined for. Yet Apple, and others, continue.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51413724

They get around it by having the batteries wear out ... and making them REALLY expensive to replace. "It may make more sense to just get a better phone," so says the company rep ...
Ya gotta love planned obsolescence ... at least from a marketing standpoint.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They’re different than just slow bowls (though those are great too) because they’re more of a puzzle and they have to think/use their brains to solve it and “chase” their “prey” (kibble) spring the bowl haha

I also like using regular Kongs sometimes especially to put in a crate or something. They’re great stuffed and frozen too haha last forever!! I’ve done peanut butter and kibble in there as well as treats mixed in and all sorts of stuff. Some people do yogurt too.

I also really like training with meals too. Not all the time but I’ve done that a few times, especially with the really smart and/or high drive ones. Some meals with no bowl, just working/training for their food. Uses their brains too and of course they eat much slower haha but I wouldn’t do that all the time. Some people do and never use bowls, only training or the wobbler or snuffle mats, or something, but it seems kind of mean to me to do that every single meal. Idk haha

My male dog used to eat so fast that he'd end up vomiting... it was so bad. He was very underweight: the shelter records said he was 47 lbs on intake, he's 65 lbs now. So I got him this rubbery treat dispenser ball and made him roll it around for his meals, and he'd still manage to finish eating in about 3 minutes (he learned to nudge, eat, nudge, eat). He's slowed down now (aka 30 seconds instead of 5 seconds) so he gets to eat out of a regular bowl now.

I do training with breakfast for all the dogs, from smallest to largest. I try to just give them a mix of commands, about a minute or so per dog, then they can eat.

Never could get any dog interested in a Kong. Probably because I refuse to put food in them lol.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@FortCluck this is for you. I know you are very much in the high-risk group. Would you, or do you, let anyone in your house, that is not already a member of your immediate family? If so, under what circumstances would you allow that? I ask because this sales rep wants to come over tomorrow to talk to us about Medicare and my brain is screaming no no no! And also, DD has a very dear friend that lives two states over that has asked if she can come and I am having the same reaction. I am not as high risk as you, but I AM, enough to where I am concerned. What would you do?

Actually, I'd like to throw this out to everybody. All opinions appreciated. What would y'all do? I'm not ready to pretend everything is "normal" again.

 

[MROO]

I hadn't but that is also a good idea.
Your suggestions did get my mild rolling last night on some things I might try this weekend when it's going to get even colder.

Last night was 30, but I don't think it was 30 for very long. I have a digital thingy that tells me how cold it gets overnight, but not for how long it was that cold. However I'm going to bet based on the lack of frost in the little valley below and that my roses looked a-ok this morning, not long at all. Which is a relief.
Still calling for 29 and a freeze this weekend though so I'll keep mulling ideas. The sheets are over the veggies for now.

Zephy is my biggest rose at about 12' x 15' with a lot of 18' sprawling canes (thornless, thankfully) My other climbers are younger and don't have nearly the spawl she does, but I do have regular shrub sized roses in front of the climbers. They are not close to the thermal mass of the wall so I might need a way to cover and protect those, the clematis, iris, and peony too.

Would putting black plastic close enough to absorb heat work? I'm just reaching, here, as I've not really dealt with this situation ... just thinking about black being heat absorbent and possibly radiating it back ... or at least keeping the ground warmer beneath the plants.
Oh - and I'm thinkin' we need to see some pictures of these beauties! They don't have to be current ... just pics that show off your babies in all their glory!
... please ...?

 

[MROO]

Actually, I'd like to throw this out to everybody. All opinions appreciated. What would y'all do? I'm not ready to pretend everything is "normal" again.

 

[MROO]

I hadn't but that is also a good idea.
Your suggestions did get my mild rolling last night on some things I might try this weekend when it's going to get even colder.

Last night was 30, but I don't think it was 30 for very long. I have a digital thingy that tells me how cold it gets overnight, but not for how long it was that cold. However I'm going to bet based on the lack of frost in the little valley below and that my roses looked a-ok this morning, not long at all. Which is a relief.
Still calling for 29 and a freeze this weekend though so I'll keep mulling ideas. The sheets are over the veggies for now.

Zephy is my biggest rose at about 12' x 15' with a lot of 18' sprawling canes (thornless, thankfully) My other climbers are younger and don't have nearly the spawl she does, but I do have regular shrub sized roses in front of the climbers. They are not close to the thermal mass of the wall so I might need a way to cover and protect those, the clematis, iris, and peony too.

We're supposed to get really cold here, this weekend, too. I am SO done with the ups and downs of temps!

 

[Folly's place]

Outside, at ten ft. distance, or not at all.
Friends are hard, but on the phone, or outside, is what we are doing.
Sales? No way!!!
I navigated the Medicare site online myself, and it wasn't so difficult. Time consuming, yes, but not difficult. No sales pitches will make it better!
It's picking a secondary plan that does the most, has the fewest restrictions, and makes sense for you. Advertising for Advantage all-in-one plans is very deceptive, so be careful there! Requiring only (very limited) approved doctors, etc, and prior approval for everything, ain't so good. And one big medical disaster may or may not be covered. That 'free' gym membership? What's left out instead?
Sorry, a small rant.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

View attachment 2127692

Thanks, @MROO. I don't think I will feel safe being around people again (except for here, lol!) until there is a vaccine available for everybody. Dr. Fauci said that might not be til what, 2023?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Outside, at ten ft. distance, or not at all.
Friends are hard, but on the phone, or outside, is what we are doing.
Sales? No way!!!
I navigated the Medicare site online myself, and it wasn't so difficult. Time consuming, yes, but not difficult. No sales pitches will make it better!
It's picking a secondary plan that does the most, has the fewest restrictions, and makes sense for you. Advertising for Advantage all-in-one plans is very deceptive, so be careful there! Requiring only (very limited) approved doctors, etc, and prior approval for everything, ain't so good. And one big medical disaster may or may not be covered. That 'free' gym membership? What's left out instead?
Sorry, a small rant.
Mary

Thank you! Rant away, it's very confusing. Fortunately, DH is still employed, but the day is coming .....